MLB Player News

Fairbanks (4-4) came away with the win against the Nationals on Friday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two batters in one inning.

Fairbanks was brought out for the ninth inning to protect the Marlins' 2-1 lead. He struck out the first two batters he faced, but after Jacob Young got on base and stole second, Fairbanks proceeded to give up an RBI single to Daylen Lile to tie the game up at 2-2. It was the fourth blown save chance of the season for Fairbanks, but he ended up being tagged with the win thanks to Javier Sanoja's walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the frame. Fairbanks has a 3.48 ERA and 0.97 WHIP across 10.1 innings since the All-Star break.

Megill recorded his 24th save of the season in Friday's 2-1 win over Atlanta, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out one.

The right-hander fired an efficient 10 pitches (eight strikes) as he converted his 16th straight save opportunity, with his last blown chance coming June 5 at Coors Field. Megill has been scored upon in only one of 14 appearances since the All-Star break, posting a 0.64 ERA, 0.43 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB over 14 innings during that span. With Megill having pitched both Thursday and Friday, Brewers manager Pat Murphy may have to turn to someone else if the team has a late lead Saturday.

The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The move opens up a spot on the Cubs' active roster for Daniel Palencia, who was activated from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. Assad was promoted to the Cubs' bullpen on Monday and worked in long-relief against the White Sox on Tuesday, when he allowed two hits while striking out two batters across three scoreless frames. He's started in all five of his outings in Triple-A, where he has a 7.31 ERA and 2.06 WHIP across 16 innings this season.

The Cubs activated Palencia (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Palencia has been officially cleared to return from a nearly two-month absence due to a right elbow flexor strain, and he'll be available out of the bullpen for Friday's game against the Mariners. Palencia was the Cubs' closer prior to his injury, but he may be restricted to high-leverage situations in his return given how well Jacob Webb has pitched in save opportunities. In corresponding moves, Owen Miller was designated for assignment and Javier Assad was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Klein said Friday that he's largely symptom-free from the loose elbows in his right elbow, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Klein landed on the IL on Aug. 1 due to bone chips in his right elbow. Anti-inflammatory medication and rest have helped in the right-hander's recovery, and the next step in his rehab would be to start a throwing progression. The Dodgers will have a better sense of Klein's recovery timeline and whether he'll be able to return this season once he starts throwing again.

Gage (elbow) will start his rehab assignment this weekend, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

It's unclear which minor-league level Gage will start his rehab assignment at. Regardless, it's a positive step in his recovery from a left elbow strain that landed him on the injured list in early July. Given the nature of Gage's injury, the 33-year-old southpaw will likely need a few outings in the minors before being cleared to return to the Giants' bullpen.

Peguero has been shut down for the season due to a recurring left hamstring injury, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Peguero has been out since late May, and he didn't retire a batter in either of his rehab appearances with Triple-A Sacramento this month. It's unclear whether surgery is a possibility, but either way Peguero's 2026 campaign is over. He'll finish with 2.38 ERA and 5:4 K:BB over 11.1 innings for the Giants.

The Dodgers recalled Gervase from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.

Gervase has allowed two runs with an 8:5 K:BB over 7.2 innings out of the Dodgers' bullpen this season, and he's logged a 4.86 ERA and 46:31 K:BB in 37 frames with Oklahoma City. The tall righty will likely provide low-leverage relief while up with the big-league club.

The Cardinals recalled Fernandez from Triple-A Memphis on Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Fernandez will provide a fresh relief arm for the Cardinals' bullpen after the club played five games in the past four days. The righty has given St. Louis quality relief work this season, logging a 2.70 ERA and 20:7 K:BB in 13.1 innings.

Bender's rehab assignment has been paused after he reported soreness in his right shin during his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Jacksonville, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

Working his way back from a stress reaction in his shin, Bender pitched for Jacksonville on Tuesday in his first outing in nearly two months. He's returned to Miami to be examined, and the next steps for his rehab will be determined following that visit.